Hot Rods turn heads at show

A new venue brought renewed success for Bexhill-based 1066 Cruisers Hot Rod and Custom Car Club.
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Despite a gap of a year following the club’s loss of its former Catsfield site, hundreds of owners from across the South East flocked to Bewl Water for Sunday’s Mid Summer Picnic event.

The show was compered by John Price, the “voice” of the hot rod and custom car movement nationally,aided by DJ Rob Ashard.

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John said: “It was a great day. I love coming to this show. Everyone’s so friendly.”

Chairman Kim Freeman said: “We have been amazed to see so many cars. In addition to those pre-entered, so many have turned up on the day.”

Vice chairman Paul Dowling told the crowd assembled at the prize-giving: “A new venue is always a big gamble. It’s been an excellent day. Thank you everyone for coming and for bringing your cars.”

Eye-catcher of the day was the Cosmotron, entered by Martin and Kathy Smith of Bexleyheath. Beneath the futuristic body shape topped by a Plexiglass dome custom-made by an aviation company lurks the workings of a Chevrolet V8-powered BMW Z3.

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Kathy said: “The car was made by professional builder Paul Bacon. Martin got it for his birthday present last year.

“It does turn a few heads on the road. People keep photographing it – it’s a bit unnerving when someone is snapping you on the motorway and they are at the wheel…”

Dolled up in their Sixties costumes to complement a 1969 Volvo and a 1960 Austin A40 were Lysia Parsons, Lilly Dudley and Hannah Edwards from Hailsham,

John and Vanessa Ashby, also from Surrey, had a 1948 Ford F1 pick-up sporting a 350 cubic inch Chevrolette V8.

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Kathy Richards, of Hailsham, wore a solar pith helmet and flying goggles to complement the 1958 Mercury Montclair – once owned by the FBI. The Mercury won husband Tim the event’s Best American award.

The exhaust sound-off competition turned into a husband-and-wife battle between heavy recovery operator Peter Gould and his wife Zanthe. Both Santa Pod and Avon Raceway competitors brought their drag racers. Pete’s 1,800bhp Camaro (0-183mph in seven seconds) belted out 130 decibels but Zanthe’s big-block Chevvy sent Paul Dowling’s meter off the scale!

The Public’s Choice award went to Kev Strevett, of Eastbourne with his Gold Rush Gasser.

Profits from the show will be shared between Diabetes UK, Demelza House children’s hospice.

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